February 14th. I do not know the history behind the celebration of this day. I just know that here in America, and other parts of the world traditionally it is a day of expressing love. This is the second Valentine's day without my special valentine. Daniel was not one to always remember my birthday, our anniversary or Mother's day. He did, however, always get me something on Valentine's day.
What, depended on how close it fell to pay day. :) His family had a "saying" to describe something they felt was very nice or expensive. They would describe it as " a big nice one". Down through the years I received many "big nice" valentines from Daniel. They usually came with a box of my favorite chocolates. If he was really flush with money, flowers too. He knew that yellow roses were my favorite. I would come home from work to find these treasures laid out on the kitchen table. Even during "hard times" he would manage to get a card.
I would keep the pretty heart boxes that the candy came in along with the cards.
I kept them for years. When we moved to Washington state, I down sized and many things did not make the move.
Feeling the loss of my special valentine this year, I went looking to see what I could find. Daniel was particular in picking out his card for Valentine's day. He would look them over, reading the verses, until he found just the one he wanted.
As a result, each one was special to me. In my search through totes and boxes, I found these three. I am sad that I did not pack more of them.
In Sharing everything together
through the year,
I've found that I've grown more in love with you.
The smile I fell in love with......(he underlined this)
Your kind and thoughtful ways....
Your loving, warm embrace.....
These have become more beautiful
And more meaningful to me each year.
TODAY,
I love the world we've made for ourselves-
A place where trust, honesty, and gentleness
Grow stronger every day......
TOMORROW,
Even if problems come along,
We know we can overcome them,
because we believe that together
our love is stronger than anything we face alone....
ALWAYS,
I love the world we live in together-
because I love you with a love that is meant
to last forever.
My eyes are damp. The tissues are piling up around the key board. My heart is aching.
I also found one that I had given to him.
On this SPECIAL DAY
I hope you realize
How much you mean to me
and that you're the one
I'll always love to love.
As you are out celebrating with your valentine today,or if you are at home sharing some time together, remember this could be the last Valentine's day you celebrate. Please don't take it or them for granted. There are some of us who would give just about anything to have one more moment with ours.
